There's a saying about Tenerife – 'north for green and scene, south for sun and fun' which, whilst not an absolute truth, nevertheless is a good generalisation. As a rule of thumb, you'll find most theme parks in the south and most cultural attractions in the north.

Many of the organised tours have to travel some distance to reach popular attractions such as Mount Teide, Loro Parque (Loro Park), Masca, Garachico and La Orotava. If you're based in the south, be prepared to spend anything up to a couple of hours on a bus collecting from hotel after hotel before you reach your destination. It can make for an early start and a half day tour that lasts up to eight hours.

If you prefer to spend your precious holiday time more profitably, particularly if you're a family with small children, it's worth considering hiring a car and being master of your own timetable.

All government owned museums are free to get in on Sundays yet are surprisingly quiet as the Spanish and Canarios keep Sundays as family days. It's a win win for visitors.

If you've bought a Bono card for travel on the buses and trams, it also entitles you to discounted entry to museums.

How I’ve picked my things to do:

I have tried to give a mix of attractions to suit a variety of tastes, age groups and family make-up and to give a good geographical spread.

I have included those sights and places which for me represent must-sees for the first time visitor and even for seasoned Tenerife holidaymakers, but I've also given one or two off-the-beaten-track destinations which I hope will surprise and delight visitors.

For me, Tenerife is more than just a sun, sea and sand destination. Culturally, it has a great deal more to offer and I hope that by including places that best illustrate the island's fascinating frontier history, its biodiversity and its wine heritage, to show a different face to Tenerife.

I have tried to give a mix of attractions to suit a variety of tastes, age groups and family make-up and to give a good geographical spread.

I have included those sights and places which for me represent must-sees for the first time visitor and even for seasoned Tenerife holidaymakers, but I've also given one or two off-the-beaten-track destinations which I hope will surprise and delight visitors.

For me, Tenerife is more than just a sun, sea and sand destination. Culturally, it has a great deal more to offer and I hope that by including places that best illustrate the island's fascinating frontier history, its biodiversity and its wine heritage, to show a different face to Tenerife.